Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION -
ERGONOMIC GRIPPING ACTIVITIES GLOVE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a specialized glove used in pairs which permits the
user to grip
such items as ski poles, hand tools, bicycle handlebars, crutches, and other
items that require a
gripping motion to do so in a more beneficial ergonomic manner involving
specific finger
placement. This finger placement positions the user's hand to create optimal
skeletal alignment
and to perform various physical activities in a more beneficial ergonomic
manner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An engineer is a person who is trained or skilled in the designing or planning
of the
creation of machines and structures and their implementation. The best use of
human labor,
whether for business or pleasurable activities, falls within the domain of
industrial engineering.
The interaction of human beings and machines and machinery falls within the
domain of human
engineering 1E ergonomics. Thus it fell upon applicant, who works in the field
of ergonomics, to
recognize that many routine chores and activities such as rowing, bicycling,
lifting boxes or
items, pulling/pushing, and other work or play mechanical movements can be
done in a more
balanced fashion, that is, in an ergonomically, friendly manner. That is, the
hands of the party
doing an act would not get tired and become strained from excessive use or
misuse while
performing athletic tasks such as cycling, rowing, and weightlifting. Or work
tasks such as
lifting, carrying, pushing, and using tools.
The approach to the question of how to carry out everyday chores in a more
ergonomic
mode was approached not from the viewpoint of changing every tool, instrument,
or object that
was handled by a user, but rather to adapt the user in a friendly fashion to
the preexisting
ergonomic unfriendly items that already exist in the world. Thus the question
was phrased,
"lower the water or raise the bridge?" And so applicant came upon a unique
approach of
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adapting the hands to act in an ergonomic fashion when being applied to
preexisting items used
every day in the world.
Since applicant could not change every handle, ski pole, oar, etc., the
changing of the
mode of gripping or articulating the fingers and the hands on such items was
undertaken. Thus,
the glove of this invention was born.
The invention accordingly comprises the device possessing the features
properties and the
relation of components which are exemplified in the following detailed
disclosure and the scope
of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention
reference should be
made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying
drawings.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A glove made of leather or fabric shaped to and sized for the user's hand,
insulated or not,
and having a specifically configured rubber or other material, such as Kevlar
, nomex , etc. insert
designed to change the mode of gripping of a handle, pole, tool or object or
bar by the fingers.
The thumb has a support to limit its motion and modify its position. The
insert and the support
are each sewn or glued between the outer layer and the lining of the glove, or
under the lining
layer wherein direct skin contact would transpire.
It is a first object to provide a new ergonomic glove, the left of which is a
minor image
version of the right.
It is a second object to provide a glove that enables the user to grip items
in a more
ergonomic friendly fashion.
It is a third object to provide a glove that prevents the user from straining
their wrist
caused by improper lifting of handles, and bars, and improper hand positions
during typing of
inputting numbers, and during the use of hand tools.
It is a fourth object to provide an ergonomic glove for use in sports, while
on the job
doing certain tasks, such as using a rake. .and at play, such as weight
lifting to prevent or inhibit
wrist injury.
It is a fifth object to provide a glove that supports the thumb in a neutral
position.
It is a sixth object to provide a glove that restricts the contraction of the
fingers on a
graduated basis using grooves of various sizes, or layers of material that may
be glued, heat
welded, or sewn together, to create a variable resistance.
It is a seventh object to provide a glove that improves the user's
biomechanics efficiency.
It is an eighth object to provide a fingerless glove that operates in the same
manner as the
fingered glove but for different uses. It is a ninth object to provide a glove
wherein there is a
graduated resistance from pinky to index finger, such that it is easier to
contract the little finger,
#5, than the ring finger,#4, than the middle finger, #3 with the hardest
finger to contract being the
index finger, #2, adjacent to the thumb.
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Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1 is a top plan cutaway view of the right ergonomic glove (palmar side)
of this
invention with the thumb extended, the open position. The left-hand glove is a
mirror image
thereof.
FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the dorsal side of the left-hand foam rubber
insert used in
the manufacture of the left glove of this invention.
FIGURE 3 is a series of four side elevational views of the respective finger
segments of
the insert of this invention designated 3A-3D inclusive, and showing the
change in depth and
width of bend crevice for each of the four fingers.
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the left hand -palmar side- with a glove
thereon seen
from the palm side showing the restricted movement available when this glove
is worn by the
user.
FIGURE 5 is a side perspective view of the left glove thumb shown in the
retained
position on the support aspect of this invention.
FIGURE 6 is a view of the left-hand glove slightly more rotated than in Figure
4 wherein
the middles of the fingers of the glove - a portion of the glove that
constitutes an area of the
glove that provides no support structure, have been cut off.
FIGURE 7 is a sectional view showing the various layers employed in the
manufacture of
the glove of this invention, except for the thumb area.
FIGURE 8 depicts an alternate construction to that of Figure 7.
FIGURE 9 is a view related to Figure 2 but of the bottom or palm side of the
insert from
the right hand.
FIGURE 10 is a left perspective view of the thumb retainer of a right-hand
glove of this
invention as seen from the palmar side.
FIGURE 11 is a view similar to Figure 1 in that it illustrates two variants
that may be
incorporated into the glove shown in Figure 1.
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FIGURE 12 is a top plan view of the left hand glove of the second embodiment
of this
invention with the thumb extended, that is, in the open position. The right
hand glove is a mirror
image thereof. The view shown is palmar side.
FIGURE 13 is a top plan view of an alternately constructed insert for use in
this
invention, palm side.
FIGURE 14 is a top plan view of the insert of FIGURE 13 externally mounted and
designated an exsert, palmar side.
FIGURE 15A is a variant of the glove of this invention.
FIGURE 15B is an alternate form of the variant of the device of FIGURE 15A.
The term top plan as used herein, refers to the plane of the view. A human
hand has two
sides, a back side - having the nails - is correctly referred to as the dorsal
side. The palm side is
technically referred to as the palmar side.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The ergonomic glove 10 of the first embodiment of this invention is seen in
FIGURE 1.
It comprises any standard minimally lined glove 11 having a special insert 12
therein. The insert
is seen alone in FIGURE 3, the ergonomic glove 10 also includes a thumb
retainer 30 to support
the thumb. In FIGURE 7, a sectional view of the various layers that make up
the glove of this
invention, but for the thumb area, is seen. Each of these several views will
be discussed
independently.
Turning now to FIGURE 1, a right hand ergonomic fingered glove 10 of this
invention is
seen. The inventive glove 10 is a cutaway view of the palm side to reveal the
contents and to
better depict the insert 12 and the standard glove 11 within which the insert
is disposed. Thus
cutaway lines 35, 36, 37, indicate the boundaries of the fabric of the
standard glove which are
retained for identification of the palm side of standard glove 11.
Thumb support 30, also disposed within standard glove 11, will be discussed
infra. Thus
it is seen that the insert 12 has three portions, the palm portion 14, the
intermediate or motion
limiting portion 49, seen in detail for all four fingers in FIGURE 3, and the
finger portion 19
denoted in FIGURE 2 of the left hand.
The glove 11 is any standard thinly lined or any unlined glove such as an
athletic glove or
driving glove. Such a glove can have a leather or artificial leather or other
suitable material outer
layer such as 60 seen in FIGURE 7, an optional fabric lining of cotton or
other material 61 for the
upper or palm side of the glove, and a similar optional lining 63 and outer
layer for the covering
of the rear part of the hand 64. The insert 12 is disposed in this FIGURE 7
construction between
the lining layer 61 and the lining layer 63, and as such comes in direct
contact with the hand of
the wearer. Whereas in the alternate construction of FIGURE 8, the insert 12
is interposed
between the outer layer 60 and the lining layer 61.
The insert 12, while a unitary structure formed from a soft polyurethane,
flexible foam as
noted, possible other materials, could be non-flammable or flame resistant
materials such as
leather, Kevlar, nomex or soft rubber has three portions. The first is the
digit or finger portion 19
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19 which has four sections, one per finger, each of which are designated
20,21,22,23, with an
added "L" or "R" designation to denote the left or right-hand version of an
insert. The second
portion is the intermediate or crease portion 39 which also consists of four
sections designated
41, 42, 43, 44, of FIGURE 3. The third portion is the palm portion 14 is seen
best in FIGURES 1
land 2.
In FIGURE 2, the insert 12 is shown for the right-hand glove of this
invention. The view
here is from the back of the hand as if the hand had been removed from view.
Thus, the viewer
is above not beneath the insert 12. The finger or first portion 19 covers only
the proximal
phalanx of each of the four fingers and not the thumb. The four sections here
have been
designated 20L, 21L, 22L, 23L. The "L" designates that these are for the left-
hand unit of the
insert forming part of this invention. The right-hand insert would be a mirror
image thereof.
Each section of the first portion 19 of the insert 12 extends from about the
metacarpophalangeal crease of each finger rearwardly in the direction toward
the wrist to the
respective inter-digital pad of that finger. Each first portion section may
have an arcuate leading
edge as shown or one linearly cut if desired.
The intermediate portion of the insert is portion 39 and it too has four
sections, one
section for each of the respective fingers excluding the thumb. This portion
is depicted grossly
magnified in the subfigures 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, of FIGURE 3. These four subfigures
showing the
intermediate sections have been oriented 90 degrees from their in-use position
as the correct
disposition of the creases is shown in FIGURE 1. Each section is a crease
between the respective
finger and the adjacent palm area.
FIGURE 3A represents a side elevational view of the first section which is the
crease of
the pinky or little finger, fifth metacarpal or fourth finger adjacent to part
of the palm area. It is
taken along the line 68-68 of FIGURE 11. FIGURE 3B is the same elevational
view of the third
finger crease of the insert and that finger and the adjacent palm areas. It is
taken along line 69-69
69-69 of FIGURE 11. FIGURE 3C is the same view of the second finger's crease,
and is taken
along line 70-70 of FIGURE 11. While FIGURE 3D is of the index finger crease,
and is taken
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along line 71 -71 of FIGURE 11. All of these creases just mentioned are
located adjacent the
inter-digital pad of the respective finger. These inter-digital pads are shown
in these oriented
elevational views.
Each crease 49 comprises two segments depicted here as flat; namely, the first
portion of
the respective finger and the digital pad or upper area of the palm portion
with a crevice there
between. From these subfigures, it is to be understood that each crevice in
the respective crease
of the four fingers of the insert is narrower and shallower in a progression
from the little finger
toward the thumb. Compare FIGURE 3A to FIGURE 3D.
Reference to the sub-figures shows that the nomenclatures 44U, 43U, 42U, 41U,
designators all refer to the upper segment or inclined wall of the respective
creases shown in
FIGURE 1, while 44L, 43L, 42L, 41L, all refer to the lower segment or inclined
wall of the
respective crease, which lower segments are the mirror image inclined walls
between the specific
crevice and the respective inter-digital pad. That is, these 41L-44 L's
designated surfaces are the
inclined walls leading from the first portion to the respective crevice. The
crevices of the creases
creases are designated 45, 46, 47, 48, respectively. See FIGURE 3. These
intermediate sections
sections can be viewed as motion limiters as they restrict the bending of the
fingers in differing
amounts. Each of these sub-figures was created by slicing through the insert
through the palm
area to segregate a first portion, one finger and its crease and its part of
the palm. Rear edges
49A-49D respectively are shown as jagged in that this line represents an
artificial edge in that the
cutaway balance of the palm portion is not shown here. Reference to FIGURES 2
and 9 could
create some confusion as they both have the same general outline. FIGURE 2 is
the non-use, that
that is no crease side or back side of the insert for the left hand. FIGURE 9,
on the other hand, is
is the user surface or front side of the insert for the right hand. Note the
presence of the creases
in the FIGURE 9 unit. The third portion of the insert is the palm portion 14.
It is a flat,
approximately 1/8 to 1/4-inch thick, segment of foam rubber, or other material
or combination of
materials and may be cut or layered, attached to the intermediate portion. It
may be flat, shown
as a straight line in FIGURE 1, at its distal edge 1E the edge distant from
the fingers or it can be
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wavelike at the distal edge thereof as shown in FIGURES 2 and 9. The palm
portion of the basic
basic insert extends rearwardly from the intermediate creases' portion toward
the wrist to an
artificial line extending across the hand through the middle of the width of
the thumb. But see
the discussion infra, concerning FIGURE 11 for a more rearwardly distal edge
which discussion
is set forth subsequent to the discussion of the thumb support. In FIGURE 9 as
shown, the
grooves or channels 40-43 are shown slightly angled to the elongation of the
fingers. These
grooves may also be straight across, 1E about 90 degrees to the elongation of
the fingers.
* * * *
The reader is again referred to FIGURE 1 as the discussion now turns to the
thumb
support 30. This element is a flexible complex curve plastic or other material
member having a
wavelike configuration and having an arched over segment. This element is
somewhat
upstanding in its vertical disposition. Bottom surface 31, per FIGURE 11,
adjacent the thumb is
concave in its lateral disposition to conform to the convex shape of the
thumb. Surface 31
slightly encircles the thumb to retain it in the desired position on the
support 30.
The bottom surface 31 supports the thumb both slightly above and slightly
below the
crease between the distal and proximal phalanxes of the thumb. Reference
should also be made
to FIGURE 10 because the discontinuous arched over segment 33 seen there
provides
stabilization for the thumb, and which segment is hidden from view in FIGURE
1. This arched
over segment 33 extends somewhat transversely to the support surface 31 and
engages the side of
the griping thumb. Basically we are modifying the at rest position of the
thumb to help locate and
maintain the gripping thumb in the desired comfortable angled and bent
position. It should be
noted that the support 30 seen in FIGURE 10 is for the right-hand thumb and as
such, from the
perspective of FIGURE 1, the discontinuous arched over segment cannot be seen.
The side
aspect of support 30 is designated 32. See FIGURE 10.
Support 30 may be made of a flexible material such as nylon or other polyamide
thus the
thumb while supported is able to articulate. Support 30 is sewn or glued in
place between the
lining and the outer layer of the conventional glove 11. If the glove 11 is
unlined, support 30 may
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be attached by a suitable adhesive to retain it in its desired position.
FIGURES 4-6 are provided to show the hand as it will be seen when stowed
within the
ergonomic glove 10 of this invention. The thumb of the glove 10 is designated
51 and the
respective fingers 52-55 inclusive. In FIGURE 6, a so-called short glove in
that it has no rear
ribbing and does not extend over the wrist, the rear edge 49 is seen and the
arrow points to hand
50 disposed therein. As can be seen that the hand 50 is supported within the
glove 11 by the
insert 12 to achieve the curvature as shown in the several perspective points
of FIGURES 4-6.
The insert 12 in FIGURE 7 is disposed in this construction between the lining
layer 61
and the lining layer 63, and as such comes in direct contact with the hand.
Whereas in the
alternate construction of FIGURE 8, the insert 12 is interposed between the
outer layer 60 and
the lining layer 61.
FIGURE 9 has already been referred to in brief. It is the front side of the
insert in its
entirety and shows the exact locations of the creases previously discussed.
While only one hand has been discussed and only one inventive glove shown for
this first
embodiment, it is best if the glove of this invention is used in matched
pairs, one for the right
hand and one for the left hand. That way maximum benefit is obtained. The
second embodiment
should also preferably be used in pairs
The glove shown in FIGURE 11 is a cutaway of a composite glove based on the
glove 10
of FIGURE 1. Here glove 100 of the invention utilizes the basic insert 12
shown in FIGURE 2
to which sections have been added and as such the insert is now designated
120. The basic glove
upon which the invention has been incorporated is now designated 111. The
first feature addition
to be discussed is the palm area extended padding 121. This can be extended to
the amount
desired depending upon the configuration of the glove from the rear edge 122
as shown all the
way to the very rear edge 123 of the glove thereof as may be desired. The
cutaway line 136
yields the hypothenar area 150 to the rear of the right thumb in this figure.
The second feature addition shown in this FIGURE 11 can be added separately or
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conjunction with the first feature addition. The second feature pertains to an
extension of each of
of the finger sections of the finger portion of insert 120 such that a second
set of creases similar
in design and sizing as the first set of creases described infra can be had.
The placement of this
second set of creases is disposed at a location that approximately corresponds
to the
metacarpophalangeal crease of each finger of a wearer. These second creases
are respectively
designated 243,242,241,240. The nomenclature for the lower and upper aspects
has been
retained as is apparent from FIGURE 11. The lower creases of the dual crease
embodiment are
designated 143,142,141,140, respectively. See FIGURE 11.
Applicant is the inventor of U.S. Patent 5,979,015 issued November 9, 1999.
That patent
pertained to a pair of handgrips. The channels of the insert of this ergonomic
glove, as disposed
in the palm of the glove, create the same effect upon the handgrips as the
fingers contract during
the course of work as occurs when the fingers are placed upon a set of the
grips or upon the grips
as incorporated into other structures such as ski poles or hand tools. As the
hand wraps around
the grip, the fingers and thumb are placed or guided to precise positions
relative to the grip but
now within the glove as the ergonomic glove is wrapped around a work surface.
1. The thumb shelf which supports the thumb in a bent position:
a) Keeps the metacarpal and phalanges from being displaced by drawing the
bones
back to a neutral position. When the thumb is in an extended position, the
metacarpal acts as a lever and shifts the bones of the hand and wrist out of a
neutral alignment creating ulnar deviation.
b) Keeps the hand from over pronation (rotating inward). The extended thumb
initiates independent pronation of the hand causing the wrist and elbow to
move
in an opposing direction IE the hand rotates inward and the elbow wants to
rotate
away from the body.
c) Helps hold the bones of the hand on a single plane. This allows the
fingers to
contract in a linear pattern otherwise the fingers twist as they are
contracted. The
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extended thumb also causes the wrist and hand to hyperextend.
Further, the glove is designed to support the fingers to facilitate the
desired generally
neutral positioning of the hand relative to the associated forearm. In this
regard, it is desirable
that the hand be generally aligned with the adjacent forearm.
The hand is generally aligned or coplanar (rather than cocked) with regard to
the adjacent
surface of the forearm as seen in FIGURES 4-6. The hand in neutral resting
position is coplanar
when and as activities are performed. The wrist is aided and stabilized by the
features of the
glove and the hand can still be articulated to various positions that are
determined by the activity
being performed.
* * * *
It is seen that the plastic support for the thumb retains the thumb such that
the thumb,
index finger (first finger), and the wrists are placed in a neutral or stable
position during use of
the glove of this invention. Since the padding provided by the insert's second
portion - that is at
the crevice of the crease, is smaller at the index and middle fingers than at
the third and fourth
fingers, contraction of the fingers is less restricted at the little finger
and ring fingers (fourth and
third fingers) than at index and second fingers. The flexibility decreases
from the fourth finger
toward the index finger. That is the fourth is less restricted than the index
to bending. The thumb
support may also be made of flame resistant material for special needs.
While a full glove is the best mode of utilizing this invention, the middle of
the fingers of
the glove may be cut off without inhibiting the benefits to be gained from the
invention as the
tips of the fingers of the glove are positioned forward of the insert and
forward of the thumb
retainer 30 used to support the thumb. Thus fingerless gloves are fully
contemplated.
Thus reference is made to FIGURE 12 wherein a glove of the second embodiment
can be
seen. The second embodiment comprises any standard minimally lined glove 310
having a
special insert, previously discussed therein and her referred to as 310. The
insert 312 as noted
above is seen alone in FIGURE 13 and is squared off at the end of each digit
portion, as
opposed to being rounded as per other FIGURES. The ergonomic fingered version
310 and the
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fingerless glove 360 also includes a thumb retainer 332 to support the thumb.
Also in FIGURE
7, a sectional view of the various layers that make up the fingered glove of
this invention, but for
the thumb area, is seen. The fingerless version of the second embodiment is of
the same
construction. Each of these several views has been discussed. By the term
"fingerless" for the
purpose of this invention, I mean a glove wherein the tips of the fingers and
the tip of the thumb
have been cut off at a specific location as recited infra.
The discussion now turns to FIGURES 12 where is seen the left hand ergonomic
fingered
glove 310 of this second embodiment of the invention. Since the right hand
fingered glove is a
mirror image, it will not be specifically discussed. The inventive glove 310
is an x-ray view of
the palmar side of any standard glove 311, to reveal the contents and to
better depict the insert
312 of FIGURE 13. The fingerless glove version 360 wherein the insert is
disposed externally
and designated an exsert 360 will be discussed with respect to FIGURE 14. The
term x-ray view
is used for FIGURE 12, since no cutaway lines are used to indicate the
boundaries of the fabric of
the standard glove, be it fingered or fingerless.
Thumb support 330 which has a side portion 332 in FIGURE 12, also may be
disposed
externally on glove 360, will be discussed infra and is referred to as an
exsert. Note the use of the
designator L in FIGURE 12 and R in FIGURE 14 for left and right handed.
Thus it is seen that the insert 312, seen in FIGURE 13, whether mounted
internally or
externally has three portions, the palm portion 314, the intermediate or
motion limiting portion
339, seen in detail for all four fingers in FIGURE 3, and the finger portion
319, all of which have
been discussed supra though with different reference number series. One can
readily see the
distinction in the palm portion 314 versus the alm portion 14 of the first
embodiment as to its
configuration,
The fingerless glove 361 of FIGURE 14 is any standard thinly lined or any
unlined glove
such as an athletic glove or driving glove. Such a glove can have a leather or
artificial leather
outer layer, an optional fabric lining of cotton or other material for the
upper or palm side of the
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glove, and a similar optional lining and an outer layer for the covering of
the rear part of the
hand, as has been noted in the discussion of FIGURES 7&8. The insert 12
previously discussed
discussed in FIGURE 7 is disposed in this construction between the lining
layer 61 and the
lining layer 63, and as such comes in direct contact with the hand. Whereas in
the alternate
construction of FIGURE 8, the insert 12 is interposed between the outer layer
60 and the lining
layer 61. Such alternative placements also apply to the second insert 312.
Here in FIGURE 12, the insert 312, while a unitary structure formed from a
soft
polyurethane, flexible foam as noted, has three portions. The first is the
digit or finger portion
319 which has four sections, one per finger, each of which are designated
320,321,322,323, with
an added "L" or "R" designation to denote the left or right-hand version of an
insert. The second
portion is the intermediate or crease portion 339 which also consists of four
sections designated
341, 342, 343, 344 of FIGURE 13. The third portion is the palm portion 314 is
seen best in
FIGURES 12 and 14. Further discussion concerning the insert for the second
embodiment is not
needed as the insert is the same insert as used in the first embodiment,
though slightly different
shaped at the end of the plurality of finger portions.
If one considers the point of attachment of each finger and the thumb
respectively to be
the first "crease ," or bend point, the fingers of glove 360 should be cut off
at or about the second
or middle crease of each finger and the distal crease of the thumb to be
designated fingerless for
the purpose of this invention. This will permit a full bending of all of the
fingers and the thumb
with no impediment. Thus the insert 312 should be located such that no part of
the insert extends
beyond the cut off edge of each finger and the thumb in glove 311. To ensure
long wear, the edge
of each finger opening and the edge of the thumb opening should be circularly
stitched.
One might inquire as to for whom is this fingerless glove 360 of this second
embodiment
is intended. Runners and hikers who want to run or jog while holding the
patented grips of
applicant will have full use of their fingers to hold onto their water
bottles. Gardeners will find
them ideal for using shovels, spades and other garden tools in a safer mode.
Cab drivers, and
typists are good candidates for use of this second embodiment, since the
fingers need to grip the
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steering wheel or be able to specifically impact a specific key on a keyboard.
The effect that is to
be achieved is to stabilize the body while aligning the skeletal frame
specifically the fingers,
hands, wrists, forearms, shoulders and back while using one's hands in a
working position by
holding, grasping, turning, rotating etc., namely every motion that the hand
and fingers can make.
The movement of the arms and the positioning of the hands on the tool or
implement affects the
position and the stabilization of the body from the waist down. The body
reacts to hand and arm
actions, laterally elevating your arm with palms down increases the amount of
lateral torso and
head angulations as opposed to turning the palms up while laterally elevating
an arm. Thus the
saying, A stable body is a healthy body.
Previously with respect to insert 12 shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, it has been
mentioned
that the insert is formed of rubber or soft polyurethane into which creases
have been cut of
varying sizes in the finger portion. The same holds true here for this second
embodiment.
It has now been found that the desired progressive contraction pattern of the
fingers
where the little finger is easiest to contract, IE fold over toward the wrist,
can be achieved by
utilizing a plurality of layers of material, glued, heat welded, sewn or a
combination of these
procedures, to create a variable resistance pattern from the 5th finger down
to index finger.
The reader's attention is directed to FIGURE 13, which shows such an insert
312.
Here also the first portion 319 of the insert 312 extends from about the meta
carpophalangeal crease of each finger rearwardly toward the wrist, to the
specific inter-digital
pad of that particular finger. Each first portion may have an arcuate leading
edge, or be linearly
cut for a no finger tip glove, if such desired. The construction is the
differing point.
FIGURE 14 is a perspective view slightly to the palmar side of this right
handed
fingerless glove, 360, wherein the insert 312 is mounted on the outside of the
glove as an
addition, and designated an exsert, 312, as by glueing, sewing or heat
welding, depending upon
the material employed for both the glove and the exsert. This exsert is
structurally the same as the
insert 312, just relocated. It is composed of a plurality of layers of
urethane adhesive, readily
available at the marketplace. The buildup of layers achieves the same result
as cutting grooves
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into the uniformly thick material employed for insert12. Thus in the enlarged
FIGURE 14, the
fifth finger 323R has 4 layers of uniform thickness, while finger 322R has 3
layers of the same
thickness as finger 323 R, and one thin layer. The middle finger 321R is the
same as 322R but
omits the one thin layer while index finger 320R has but two layers.
Rather than the groove pattern as shown the several views of FIGURES 3, only a
single
cut of about 1/16th inch exists between the finger portion 319 and the palm
portion 314 of this
exsert. Of course the exsert 312 can be placed interiorly of the glove for
direct contact with the
fingers, or it can be inserted in a liner to avoid direct finger contact as
may be desired. In such
case element 312 would be designated an insert.
The use of the layering technique to achieve the contraction results desired
permits non-
flammable materials such as Kevlar to be employed for the benefit of fire
fighters, glass makers
and fighter pilots.
The thumb support 330 to be employed with the exsert 312 may be similarly
constructed
to the thumb support 330 and it too can be fashioned from fire resistant
material such as carbon
fiber, for high heat environment usage. Here in FIGURE 12 the thumb, when at
rest is placed in a
position quite similar to its position of support on applicant's patented hand
grips aforementioned.
But the support here in the glove is adequately flexible to permit the thumb
to move for grasping
motion when needed. When used externally as in FIGURE 14, the thumb support
330 may be
glued into position, or retained by a cloth wrapper having an adhesive
underside that sticks to the
fabric.
Of course the exsert 312 can be used on a fingerless glove as well as a
fingered one is not
specifically depicted.
In FIGURE 15A a variant of the glove of this invention is seen. While only the
right hand
glove is shown, the discussion applies equally to one or both gloves. In this
variant the padding
designated "A" for the little or 5th finger has been removed. In FIGURE 15B,
not only the portion
designated "A" has been removed, but also the portion designated "B", which is
padding in the
palm area, situated just below the "A" portion has also been removed. It has
been found that in
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both instances, the benefits of wearing of the glove(s) are still retained.
Attempts to remove
padding in the finger and/or palm area at the locations of other fingers is
detrimental and
counterproductive to the benefits to be gained from use of the glove for all
activities. For ease and
convenience the general numbering of parts as used earlier herein has been
retained, but for these
two figures, FIGURE 15A & 15B, the numbers have been placed in the 400 series.
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OBSERVATIONS
By using the glove of this invention, the hand is placed into a position
wherein the radio-
ulna line is in neutral alignment thus avoiding tendinitis and other hand
and/or wrist injuries. The
contraction pattern of the fingers, when this glove is used, brings about a
tighter contraction
pattern of the little finger and ring finger to thereby create greater
muscular use of the triceps and
posterior deltoid muscles, the result of which is to stabilize the pectoral
girdle and back, and
which keeps the shoulders from internally rotating thereby maintaining spinal
alignment.
By a wearer using the gloves of this invention, preferably in pairs, the
wearer's
biomechanical efficiency is improved due to the retention and support of the
thumb in a neutral
position and restriction of the contraction of the fingers on a graduated
basis.
Any suitable material may be employed for the outer layers of the fingered and
fingerless
gloves of this invention, such as leather, suede, vinyl, latex rubber, nylon,
or fabrics such as
cotton, linen, and wool, Kevlar and Nomex. The optional linings may be a knit
fabric or other
suitable lining material such as lamb's wool or rabbit hair.
It has been observed that the user of the gloves of this invention have their
balance
affected positively when wearing the gloves of this invention be the gloves,
with or without
fingers. It is well known that the skeleton is made up primarily of small
bones and a few big ones.
The key to balance in one's gait and in standing erect is the position of the
shoulders. If the
shoulders are straight, the spine will retain its desired upright position.
When the spine is mis-
oriented, one loses their balance.
It has been observed that when a wearer Mr A, has on the gloves and is engaged
in an arm
curl exercise with another person Mr B, of superior strength, who is not
wearing the gloves, that it
will be quite difficult for Mr. B to cause the wearer Mr. A to move from a
given normal stance.
Without the gloves on, Mr. B can move the wearer Mr. A quite easily.
In another exercise, when the wearer has the gloves on, and assumes an elbows
by the side
palms up stance with the gloves in place, a poke on the chest or push by Mr. B
will NOT cause the
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wearer Mr. A to step back. But with out the gloves and the arms in the exact
same position,
elbows in, palms up, Mr. B's poke or push can easily cause the wearer to take
a step backwards.
If wearer Mr. A without the gloves on, were to take a Phillips or other
screwdriver, and
practice a few turns on a screw using the right hand, it will be observed that
when the wearer
works strenuously, the right shoulder becomes arched. This eventually can
cause joint discomfort
if these rotational movements are carried out for a long period of time. But
when the glove is worn
on at least the hand using the screwdriver, it is found that the shoulder of
the hand with the glove
does not rise, thus avoiding potential injury, and assuring proper stance of
the wearer.
In essence the wearing of the gloves by workers can help them to maintain a
physical
alignment that is conducive to the performance of tasks with reduced injuries,
and greater ease.
Thus the gloves are recommended for package delivery people such as FedEx
,post office and
UPS workers, construction personnel, and ditch diggers/gardeners among others.
The reader should further understand that the human skeleton is made up mostly
of small
bones. The wearing of the gloves tends to stabilize the alignment of the back
and thus retain these
small bones in the correct position relative to each other. The shoulders of
the person are the
keystone to [proper posture. If on going about certain chores, such as lifting
or carrying of an
item(s), the shoulders rotate or move, such movement causes the spine to
change the position of
the basis for your balance - so that you don't fall over- since the body
reacts to the orientation of
the spine.
For example, if a person carries out rotation of the arm during the use of a
manual
screwdriver, the shoulder on the right side of the body rises and falls. But
where the gloves of this
invention are worn, and the same job is performed, the shoulder stays level,
such that after many
repetitions of screwing in screws, during the assembly of an item, joints on
the right side of the
body that would have ached without glove wearing, do not ache.
To reiterate what was alluded to above, the gloves of this invention can be
made of a
variety of materials to suit the job of the wearer. Thus Kevlar fabric, for
fire fighters, leather for
those persons pulling weeds, or working in thorny plant areas along the
nations highways or in
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fields, cotton for use in "clean rooms "for semiconductor production, and wool
for persons
subject to cold temperatures are but a few of the fabrics that can used for
the gloves of this
invention. The materials suitable for the padding have been discussed supra.
****
Since certain changes may be made in the described apparatus without departing
from the
scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter
contained in the above
description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in
a limiting sense.
